Open forum: Title of 'First gentleman' sounds elegant

THE QUESTION: If Hillary Clinton becomes the president of the United States, what title will her husband have? - Clarence Benoit, Lafayette

THE ANSWER: By tradition, the wife of U.S. presidents are referred to as the "first lady." Up until now, there have been no female presidents, so the question you pose has never really needed an answer.

In the case of the Clintons, it's an easy answer. Bill Clinton is a former president and is referred to as former President Bill Clinton or simply, "President Clinton," and is usually addressed as "Mr. President."

If his wife becomes president, he will most likely retain his title.

But with other couples, it may be a different matter.

Several different titles have been proposed, including "first husband," "first man" and "first gentleman." The last of those is the most logical, said Marthanne Calvi, a Baton Rouge resident who teaches etiquette and is a graduate of the Washington School of Protocol and Etiquette in Washington, D.C. "First gentleman" directly corresponds to the "first lady" appellation.

Plus, it's the most elegant-sounding choice.

Although it is traditional to refer to the wives of presidents as the first lady, it is not an official title. That's why you seldom see it capitalized in newspapers.

And not all presidents' wives have had that title, officially or otherwise.

When George Washington took office there was some debate as to what to call his wife, Martha Washington. Eventually, according to discovery.com, people began to call her Lady Washington.

Other early presidents' wives were referred to by various titles, including "lady" and "Mrs. President."

The first recorded use of the term "first lady" was in President Zachary Taylor's eulogy for Dolly Madison, wife of President James Madison.

The informal title caught on in newspapers across the nation. It was used for Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln, and Lucy Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Since then, it has been used to refer to at least 26 presidents' wives.

There may have been no female presidents, but there have been female governors.

When former Gov. Kathleen Blanco was in office, her husband didn't have a special title. Most often, he was referred to as "Dean Raymond Blanco," or simply, "Coach Blanco." There were a few isolated times he was called the "first gentleman," but it was presumed to be tongue-in-cheek. Most often, he was identified with the phrase, "husband of Gov. Kathleen Blanco."

Perhaps that is how it will be for the husband of the first female president.

Or maybe her staff, the public or the media will choose the title that seems most appropriate.

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Open forum: Title of 'First gentleman' sounds elegant

THE QUESTION: If Hillary Clinton becomes the president of the United States, what title will her husband have? ? Clarence Benoit, Lafayette